"Eva was one of the few very senior women in the game, a highly respected doctor who has acted with professional integrity in difficult circumstances and whose skills have been highly praised by her colleagues, the club and governing bodies," she said.

"On the 8th August Eva fulfilled her duty as the senior medic and responded to the referee to enter the field of play to treat a player.‎

"Any other response would have been a dereliction of her duty and a breach of GMC guidelines as confirmed recently by the organisation of Premier League doctors.

"In acting properly she was then subject to verbal abuse and public criticism and in effect demoted by her removal from the bench.